Christ Hospital part of national study testing new wound healing device

The Christ Hospital has been chosen to take part in a national research study testing a new FDA-cleared medical device designed to better treat hard-to-heal, chronic wounds.

The Smart Negative Pressures, or SNaP, Wound Care System is a disposable suction device that requires no electricity or batteries. The novel device uses "negative pressure therapy" or removal of small amounts of discharge from chronic, acute, traumatic, subacute and dehisced wounds, ulcers (such as diabetic or pressure).

"We're excited to have been chosen to take part in this national study. The SNaP System is a small and silent device that uses a patented vacuum technology to provide a therapeutic benefit to chronic wounds," said Mark Harding, M.D., medical director of The Christ Hospital Wound Healing Center.

The Christ Hospital Wound Healing Center is one of 12 hospitals taking place in the study, which will compare the SNaP device to the negative pressure devices currently on the market.

SNaP is in the pre commercialization phase, having received FDA clearance in 2009. It's manufactured by California-based by Spiracur, Inc. The device delivers this negative pressure through tubing that is connected to dressing that creates an airtight seal around the wound. It's fully portable and about the size of a cell phone.

"It is indicated for use on a variety of ulcers typically seen on our patients here at The Christ Hospital and is ideal for our outpatient clinic. It generally takes about five minutes for a dressing change, which can be completed in the clinic by a nurse or physician or at home by a caretaker," Dr. Harding said.

Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Michael Beauchat, The Christ Hospital

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